This Is Not Your Average Valentine’s Day Post
WARNING: We’ve got a non-traditional spin on this February holiday
This will not be a Valentine’s Day piece like any other one that you have read or will read this February. I am reasonably confident of that! 💖
There will be plenty of suggestions about places to take that special someone over the next couple of weeks. Sarasota Magazine usually has a great list of options. Also, our local daily, The Sarasota Herald-Trib, posts up some guidance on the matter. We even came up with a list for last year’s holiday. This piece will not be that…
This all starts in a way and place that is unexpected, my email inbox. It’s not a note from a reader wanting a tip on the best Valentine’s Day surf and turf. And it isn’t even a plea from someone asking if there is “any way possible that I could get them a table at Indigenous for February 14th.” (FYI, I can’t 😃).
No, this email came from the vendor I use to make my interactive A Burger A Week map, Proxi.co. They’re a great little startup company with a fantastic and useful map-making tool.
In this particular email, they were touting their brand-new ability to use AI to make a map. This new feature would combine the best of Open AI (you’ve probably heard of ChatGPT by now!) and Proxi’s ability to plot points on any map. This was the line in the email that got my attention…
“Insert a few simple words into a mad lib style prompt and click a button to generate an interactive map filled with exciting places and hilarious descriptions.“
This could be fun! I loved Mad-Libs as a kid, and I love finding exciting new places. What could possibly be a better combo? But what topic could I use to test drive this new tech? By now, you have arrived at the same conclusion that I had: Valentine’s Day.
YES, we are. We are going to try and determine just how well the current evolution of AI does at suggesting a place(s) for you to take your honey on February 14th. Buckle up. I have a feeling that this will be a wild and rocky ride. 🚀
We needed some initial input criteria for our little Valentine’s Day experiment. After fiddling around with the map tool for a bit, I decided to use the term “Romantic Restaurants Near Sarasota” for my experiment. hopefully will give me the best shot at a reasonably good outcome.
Here’s our map output…
Our map has seven possible destinations. So let’s check out a few, shall we?…
Let’s start with the suggestion furthest to the south. It’s Chaz 51 (549 US-41 BYP, Venice (941) 484-6200). OK, this is not a bad start. It’s a steakhouse, which could be a great Valentine’s Day spot. Our map says that they have a “Modern American Menu.”
Let’s try another one. This time let’s take it all the way to the northernmost spot on the map…
WOW, we may be onto something here. Pier 22 (1200 1st Ave W. (941) 748-8087). Pier 22 is a great Valentine’s Day option. They routinely appear on our Best Of lists, AND they just happen to have a special Valentine’s Day Menu! Let’s see what our little AI assistant has to say about Pier 22. It’s a “Beautifully decorated waterfront location with fresh seafood dishes.” That description is not that far off. (Hopefully, my job is still safe!?)
OK, one more entry. Here we go…
It’s Charlie’s Continental Cuisine! Huh? This one does not sound familiar. I know most places in town. Could this one have slipped by unnoticed? Proxi says that Charlie’s has “a chic atmosphere blended with a creative menu lets you and your date enjoy a perfect evening.” Wait a minute. If there were a place with a chic atmosphere and a creative menu, I would most certainly know about it! Right??
Upon further review, this isn’t a romantic Sarasota area restaurant at all. It’s a salon! ✂️. More specifically, Char-Lee’s Beauty Salon! (I think this could be what they meant by hilarious results!) 😁
So, we know that Charlie’s Continental Cuisine is not a thing (at least not yet!). But what if it were? Let’s play along for a minute.
Let’s just take this non-traditional Valentine’s Day piece to its logical conclusion. What would ChatGPT have to say about Charlie’s? Here’s the actual AI review of a non-actual restaurant.
“If you’re looking for a romantic and elegant dining experience on Valentine’s Day in Sarasota, Florida, I highly recommend checking out Charlie’s Continental Cuisine. The restaurant is located in a beautiful historic building, and the decor is both sophisticated and inviting.
Upon entering, we were greeted by the friendly and attentive staff, who quickly seated us at a cozy table by the fireplace. The atmosphere was perfect for a romantic evening, with soft lighting, candles, and a pianist playing live music in the background.
The menu at Charlie’s Continental Cuisine is focused on classic continental dishes and features a wide variety of options to choose from. We started with the escargot and the foie gras, both cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. For our entrees, my partner had the filet mignon, and I had the duck breast. Both were cooked to our liking and had great flavors. The sides of roasted vegetables and truffle mashed potatoes were also delicious.
To finish our meal, we shared the chocolate fondant, which was decadent and rich. The wine list was extensive, and the server was knowledgeable and helpful in suggesting the perfect pairing for our meal.
The service throughout the meal was impeccable and attentive, our glasses were always filled, and plates cleared with care.
Overall, our experience at Charlie’s Continental Cuisine was truly wonderful. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was perfect, and the service was top-notch. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a special occasion or any romantic dinner.”
WOW! I really want to try this place! But, sadly, it is a figment of ChatGPT’s active Valentine’s Day imagination. What a shame.
We have one last thing for you. We’ve put together a REAL legit map of some places you might want to put on your Valentine’s Day shortlist. Here’s a link to our Proxi map (Please feel free to insert your very own hilarious comments!)
OUR INTERACTIVE SARASOTA VALENTINE’S DAY MAP! 🗺️
This piece was SO much fun to write. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I loved writing it. (Let’s just hope my high-paying food writer job is safe. 🤞) Have a great Valentine’s Day 💘
🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD EVENTS 🗓️
Here are some upcoming local food events that we think you might find interesting. All you need to do is make that reservation. We’ve provided you with a link to more info. (If you have an event, send us the details! (EMAIL IT)
WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH – Cheese & Wine – Mademoiselle Paris (Downtown)
FEB 1 – Old Forester Whiskey Tasting – Michael’s Wine Cellar
FEB 4 – Palm Ball, Call of the Wild – INFORMATION
FEB 7 – Valentine’s Social Club – Michael’s Wine Cellar
FEB 14 – Valentine’s Prix Fixe Menu – MeLANge
FEB 14 – Valentine’s Prix Fixe Dinner – Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie
FEB 14 – Hoppy Valentine’s Day Menu – Good Liquid Brewing
FEB 14 – Annual Aphrodisiac Dinner – Ortygia
FEB 15 – Party on the Bay – Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
FEB 22 – Lapostolle Wine Dinner – Michael’s Wine Cellar
FEB 23 – Truchard Wine Dinner – Michael’s Wine Cellar
FEB 24 – Chappellet Wine Dinner – GROVE Restaurant
APR 15 – Food Trucks, Tunes, & Brews 5 – INFORMATION
APR 20 TO 24 – Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival – INFORMATION
🧑🌾 FARMER’S MARKET INFO 🧑🌾
EVERY SUNDAY – Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – The Meadows Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY WEDNESDAY – The Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Oct-Apr) – DETAILS
THIRD THURSDAY NIGHT – RADD Night Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
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